Timing and Markers

The bridge between your dog's action and the reward is a marker — a clicker or a consistent word like "yes." The marker tells the dog exactly which behavior earned the reward, even if the treat arrives two seconds later.

Timing matters enormously. A marker delivered within half a second of the desired behavior is far more effective than one delivered two seconds later. Practice your timing without the dog first: watch a video and click every time someone blinks. Once your timing is sharp, add the dog.